Links We Love

THE FUNERAL CONSUMERS ALLIANCETheFCA is a national advocacy and educational organization with local chapters. In Massachusetts we are very fortunate to have two knowledgeable and active chapters in eastern and western Mass. North Carolina is very active as well. Both local websites offer unique and valuable information such as a funeral director survey about services offered, with specific questions on green burial options. You will find links to state regulations and information about many pertinent issues. We also highly recommend the “Before I Go, You Should Know”planning guide, available from the FCA national headquarters (and artwork from Edward Gorey!)

THE GREEN BURIAL COUNCIL – A leader in the Green Burial movement, The Green Burial Council certifies funeral homes, cemeteries and products with high environmental standards. They are also active educators and advocates for the natural burial movement. Their website offers an extensive map of all and everything certified by GBC.

PLANNING AHEAD – THE WHAT IF WORKBOOKThis is my favorite planning ahead guide because it succinctly, yet thoroughly, covers a wide range of information that would be useful for a number of situations. Because my dad died unexpectedly I know what a difference this makes. Come into the studio to see this and other planning guides, and pick one that will work for you!!! Please do it now!!!

PLANNING AHEAD – THE ENGAGE WITH GRACE MOVEMENTVisit this website to find a “one-slide” presentation of questions to answer for yourself and then discuss with loved ones. Founder Alexandra Drane encourages this from personal experience, following the death of her sister-in-law, Rosaria Vandenberg. Furthermore, Engage with Grace encourages us to use Thanksgiving dinner as a time to have these conversations. It can make such a difference in the future, and even in the moment…

NATIONAL HOME FUNERAL ALLIANCE – (NHFA)Learn about family-directed after-death care in the home that public or private as you would like.

CHRONIC CARE COMMUNITY CORPSThis organization has a lot to recommend it, but most of all I appreciate this:”The Arc of Illness is designed as an organizing strategy for information, tools, and resources to help caregivers and friends of caregivers.”

ETERNAL REEFSYou can choose to help replenish the ocean reef habitat – a wonderful legacy and way to commemorate a loved one who has been cremated. Ashes of one or more people (and sometimes pets, too) are poured into a concrete ball that serves as the seed for a new reef.

NATURAL BURIAL COMPANYCynthia Beal imports a number of our products. She’s also an eloquent writer, and you can find a synopsis of her upcoming book, Be A Tree, on her website.

JAE RHIM LEEJae Rhim Lee is an artist and a visionary who really, truly would like to make a version of the Mushroom Burial Suit she’s invented available to use for actual burials. July 2011 TED talk

ORDER OF THE GOOD DEATH– The Order of the Good Death is a group of funeral industry professionals, academics, and artists exploring ways to prepare a death phobic culture for their inevitable mortality. It was founded in January 2011 by Caitlin Doughty, a mortician and writer in Los Angeles, CA. Excellent tongue in cheek yet super authentic videos on a variety of topics about the subject of death and dying.

ECO FLOWEREco Flower uses recycled and sustainable materials for flower bouquets and miscellaneous home decor. We create flowers from sola wood, birch wood, denim, pine cones, burlap, old novels, used music sheets, jewelry and many other materials that are great for our planet. Each item is handmade and made unique for you.

SHROUDS

CHRYSALIS SHROUD

LAST DANCE SHROUDS– Here you will find an affordable, friendly-to-use cover and carrier that is well suited for family directed care after the end of life; a resource for home funerals and funeral homes, traditional and green burial, and cremation.

WOOD CASKET/COFFINS

PIEDMONT PINE COFFINS (North Carolina)– Want a pine box? Go out green with Piedmont Pine Coffins — the dignity in simple pine. They also sell plans for DIY coffin. Based out the Piedmont in Bear Creek, NC.

COWBOYS LAST RIDE – Handmade caskets in Brownsville, TX but deliver just about anywhere in the USA. These guys make some very fancy caskets that are unique and custom, but they also make the kosher pine box used in a natural burial. He is a celebrity favorite for caskets.